We present investigation of optical and photochromic properties as well as of surface quality of thin films of novel methacrylic polymers with 8-hydroxyquinoline azo-dyes in side-chain. Additionally, thermal stability of polymer powders was examined and their glass transition temperature was determined. Optical properties (extinction coefficient and refractive index) were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) combined with absorbance measurements. Photoresponsive behavior was investigated by determination of photoisomerization rates under irradiation with unpolarized 365 nm light, as well as by conduction of holographic grating inscription experiment. Thin film quality was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Thermal analysis was performed by thermogravimetric (TG), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. We found that optical properties as well as photoisomerization rates of investigated polymers are dependent on the substituent in the para position of the phenyl ring. Surface relief grating inscription was successfully generated only for materials with chromophores containing dimethylamino (N(CH₃)₂) and methyl (CH₃) substituents, but all materials exhibited birefringence grating in the bulk. Surface of most thin films was very smooth, but its quality was impaired by neutral (H) as well as carboxyl (COOH) substituent. Thermal stability of copolymers with side-chain chromophores was improved compared to pure poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

Novel polymers with styrylquinoline moiety and different substituents units are presented. Styrylquinoline polymers were obtained by a three-step synthetic approach. This includes the condensation, preparation of a methacrylic monomers and their polymerization. Their photophysical and photochemical properties have been investigated. Polymers were characterized by ¹HNMR, UV spectroscopy and GPC, DSC techniques. The synthesized polymers exhibited glass transition temperatures in the range of 153–184°C.

A series of novel polymers with styrylquinoline moiety and different substituents units have been successfully synthesized by radical polymerization. Styrylquinoline polymers were obtained by a three-step synthetic approach. This includes the condensation, preparation of a methacrylic monomers and their polymerization. The synthesized polymers are soluble in common organic solvents. Their photophysical and photochemical properties of the initial styrylquinoline and the polymer have been investigated by UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Polymers were characterized by ¹HNMR-spectroscopy and DSC techniques.